The value of generosity

This seems a puzzle. How can someone be enriched by giving money and things away? How can we gain value by serving others without charging for things or our services?

Most things we achieve in life are done on a gradient, bit by bit. The same is usually true about changing your life through giving. You give something or help someone and it’s fun and enjoyable. It may bring a new meaning to your life. Volunteers come to realise this.

Having lots of stuff can grab your time and attention, take your money and change what you focus on in life. As we become more free of material things, we realise that materialism is hugely overrated as a way to be happy.

Are you addicted to stuff? Think about it! Isn't the idea that we need so much stuff one of life's biggest traps? It can pull our attention and limit us greatly, both in time and creativity. While some people are addicted to drugs (cigarettes, illegal or pharmaceutical drugs or alcohol) possibly our greatest addiction is wanting more things and having to earn the money and use much of our waking time to pay for them. Breaking this addiction leaves time for important things, like more time with our partners, children and friends. No one on their deathbed ever said, "I wish I'd spent more time at work."

What happens when we let go of the material 'fix'? We find it easier to move toward, or into, a role (job) that we truly love, rather than working just to handle debts. By discovering that many of our bills aren't really needed, then - with a sign of relief - we finally realise that we don't need to work at something we don't enjoy.

Imagine how your life would be without any debts - with no bills coming in! It is possible. That's how you can live your life, virtually without bills. If you do have any service, then pre-pay, eg. a $10 fee to receive phone calls for a year.

How to lighten your life. As you get more excited about giving, you have less stuff around. Less to clean, damage, move, insure, step over, repair, make space for, bump into, protect, store, find, worry about, buy in the first place (often more debt) or have to get rid of. There's nothing wrong with having material things – if you are at peace with your life and can use them to enrich your own and your family's lives.

Many lives have been changed by watching 'The Secret - Law of Attraction.' Just search the free 90 minute video on Youtube.com

It's great to have things. Because then you can give more away.

It's love we and our family really want, not stuff. Aren't you happiest doing simple things you and your family enjoy? You can watch, read, listen and discuss things that are positive, creative and fulfilling. We can learn new things and new skills, perhaps together. We can make or build things together. Once our attention is freed from the limitations of making money, buying things and supporting governments who take most of our production, we can relax. With no reason to rush, we become interested in real life. We are more peaceful.

By doing this, we help reduce the mountains of rubbish, environmental pollution and other ‘noise’ that comes from endlessly buying – and often disposing of – material things. We can also realise, of all the things we own, which have real value for us. We can then let the other things go. We feel lighter and freer.

The solution is to care for each other. We discover the solution to so many problems is simply to care for each other. We gain immense happiness and pleasure from helping our fellows.

Do what excites you. A huge benefit is that we actually spend less time 'working' because we realise there is greater joy available to us and our families once we put our attention on what excites and inspires us in each moment. This carries a wonderful message to others and expecially your children, as you become a living example of generosity, inspiration, simplicity and love. It helps your children understand how very bright they are as we encourage their creativity and involvement in making, doing and learning worthwhile things that most excite them.

VITAL TO KNOW: Yesterday a young lady at my market stand told me she was finding it hard to create her life's purpose (which she said she already knew). She said "I've been trying ..." Here I stopped her and, holding my hand up, said, "Try to touch my hand". She touched my hand. I asked 3 times and each time she touched my hand. Finally she realised, she wasn't 'trying' to touch my hand, she was actually touching it. Entirely different goal! You see, we create with our words and thoughts. When you create 'trying' you have instantly succeeded! I believe the only thing that was (or could) stopping her from fully living her purpose was that she hadn't created it. Instead, her actual goal was one of just trying, at which she was succeeding perfectly! See the brilliant, free and delightfully easy to read booklet, downloadable at: http://www.absolute1.net/shinn_your_word_is_your_wand.PDF

Simple things are valued. Simple and inexpensive things in life will then be of more value to you; a hug, a smile, a kind word, help, a brief thank you note or a simple gift like a single flower picked free from a garden.

As you get more involved in your local community, you'll meet more people with interests similar to your own.

You may even adopt the attitude that each of us are in control of our destiny.

Other Thoughts

If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one. — Mother Teresa

If you want harmony, joy and love in your life, then be harmonious, joyful and loving.

Love is not just the fastest way to change ourselves and our world. It's the only way.

You can't let anyone down as it’s not you who are holding them up. People are holding themselves up.

Just follow your excitement, in the moment, as best you can, without expectation.

We can do no great things – only small things with great love. — Mother Teresa

If it is to be, it is up to me. — Unknown

I am only one, but I am one. I cannot do everything, but I can do something. And I will not let what I cannot do interfere with what I can do. — Edward Everett Hale

The best way to find yourself, is to lose yourself in the service of others. — Mahatma Gandhi

Thousands of candles can be lighted from a single candle, and the life of the candle will not be shortened. Happiness never decreases by being shared. — Buddha

Never get tired of doing little things for others. Sometimes, those little things occupy the biggest part of their hearts. — Unknown

Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire. — St. Catherine of Siena

We must become the change we want to see in the world. — Mahatma Gandhi

Intuition and gut feeling are the same. Intuition means 'Inner teaching' and is a valuable guide to us in every moment of our lives.

One is not born into the world to do everything but to do something. — Henry David Thoreau

Never believe that a few caring people can’t change the world. For, indeed, that’s all who ever have. — Margaret Mead

Whatever is true for you is true. It is best that we seek our own counsel and not be swayed by what others may say, do or think. Be true to yourself. Follow your heart, your passion in all things.

I wondered why somebody didn’t do something. Then I realized, I am somebody. — Unknown

As we work to create light for others, we naturally light our own way. — Mary Anne Radmacher

Your thoughts, words and deeds are painting the world around you. — Jewel Diamond Taylor

While it's true that there are many emotions, it can greatly simplify our lives if we only consider two: love and fear. Ask yourself if what you are doing is because of fear or love. In every moment or situation, we can choose one or the other. Choose love.

Quotes from 'Oneness – Great Principles shared by all religions'

Collected by Jeffrey Moses. These highlight virtues, especially love and giving, that we know in our hearts and strive for in our lives.

In the minds of the generous contentment is produced. Sikhism

Full of love for all things in the world, practicing virtue in order to benefit others, this man alone is happy. Buddhism

A man obtains a proper rule of action by looking on his neighbour as himself. Hinduism

The poor, the orphan, the captive – feed them for the love of God alone, desiring no reward, not even thanks. Islam

Extend your help without seeking reward. Give to others and do not regret or begrudge your liberality. Taoism

Though shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Christianity

With kindness conquer rage, with goodness malice; with generosity defeat all meanness; with the straight truth defeat lies and deceit. Hinduism

It is more blessed to give than to receive. Christianity

A liberal man will be enriched, and one who waters will himself be watered. Judaism

What you put out, is what you get back. Bashar

It is nature’s rule, that as we sow, we shall reap. Buddhism

Riches are not from an abundance of wordily goods, but from a contented mind. Islam

How much better it is to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather than silver. Judaism

What proceeds from you will return to you. Confucianism

Master of his senses and avoiding wrong, one should do no harm to any living being, neither by thoughts nor words nor acts. Jainism

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you, for this is the law and the prophets. Christianity

Never is hate diminished by hatred; It is only diminished by love– This is an eternal law. Buddhism

Freely ye have received, freely give. Christianity

Like a beautiful flower, full of colour, but without scent, are the fine but fruitless words of him who does not act accordingly. Buddhism